Category Archives: Old Age

After the drama of the Labour leadership contest, Early Action advocate David Robinson asks: is the choice between ‘big vision’ and ‘broad appeal’ a false dilemma? Here are four principles for a strong, relational welfare state that might achieve both… Continue reading Looking to the future of public services→

Though they have different histories and cultures, Mexico and the UK are facing a surprising number of similar problems when it comes to social isolation and older people. Dionisio Garcia lays out the case for a Circle Movement in Mexico.

Do you know about the invisible networks of support in your community? They might not be obvious, but they don’t work by magic either – in fact, it’s often a challenge. Will Alex’s coach be able to keep it up?

Social care pro Damien Ribbans shares his magic trick to make more time for those that need it most.

It’s a funny construct, time. There is a Spanish proverb that says “Time is relative to where you are, what you do, and for whom you are waiting.”

In these times of financial austerity, time is the only thing we aren’t running out of. We have less money, fewer resources, fewer jobs. But the amount of time we have is still the same. Time is currency, and we need to count it as equally as valuable as the rest of our dwindling resources. Let me show you how I think we are being wasteful with it.Continue reading Time: Now you see it, now you don’t→

Perrine works as a home care support worker. In her job, she needs to build relationships with her clients, so that she can understand and support them as well as she can. This type of work requires a lot of emotional labour, which is difficult to do if you are exhausted, hungry, or lacking in your own social support network. Here’s how being paid the Living Wage helps her do her best work and lead a better life, in her own words: Continue reading The Living Wage: “It has made me happier and less isolated.”→